Applying to medical schools abroad can be the right step for your future. Completing an MD program doesn’t happen overnight, though. Many students earning their MD degrees abroad say that studying is one of the challenges they face. Here are top tips to help you develop better study habits that will help you achieve academic milestones in the future.
Manage Your Time Wisely
Easier said than done, of course. Many find this a cliché but it’s one of the most crucial skills for students who study MD abroad. Knowing how to effectively manage your time can help you maintain an excellent study-life balance. Create a schedule. Block out time slots that you can assign, depending on what you need to get done that day. For instance, block off two hours in the morning for your school projects. Block out two or four hours in the afternoon to work on your core subject requirements. Spend the time reviewing your notes. Having a schedule can make it easier to stay on track with what you’re supposed to be doing at any given time of the day.
Get Rid of Interruptions
Anything that distracts you from your set schedule should be minimized, if not reduced or eliminated. Many of these interruptions include friends, family, and scrolling on your phone. Others have a tough time concentrating on their studies once they’re in front of the computer or laptop, ending up playing video games instead. Before deciding to study for an MD abroad, consider the usual interruptions to your day and find ways to curb them.
Be Realistic
Studying six hours a day isn’t for everyone. Some students might find it easy to study for only four hours a day. Others might take longer. Don’t set an arbitrary schedule. Instead, consider your needs. How long does your concentration last? If you can only study for three hours every day before or after classes, stick to that. You’ll improve over time. However, expecting to study for four to six hours a day without preparation might only lead to disappointment. Be realistic with your expectations and adjust them as you grow and improve.
Invest in Technology
There are numerous tools you can use online and offline to help you study. Use the methods most effective for you. For instance, do you retain more information when you read than when you watch a video about the subject? If you learn better when you hear about the subject, consider tools that read passages from your medical textbooks aloud. That can help you concentrate more on the details, especially if you’re an audio-visual learner.
Pick the Time
When is the best time for you to study? Some say they’re more mentally alert during the day. Some have their best study sessions at night. Some wake up just before the break of dawn to get an early start on their books. Consider the time that works for you and your brain. Knowing when to study can help you rearrange your day to suit your needs.
Motivate Yourself
Studying every day takes its toll on your energies, too. Find ways to motivate yourself and keep going. Set aside some time every day for yourself. It can be thirty minutes to an hour. Play a game. Take a nap. Talk to friends and family. Spend time with animals in the neighbourhood. Go on a stroll. Watch an episode of a favourite new series. Keep looking for ways to encourage yourself. You’ll have good days and bad days. And you’ll need to have enough confidence in yourself, determination and resolve to continue, even when you’re tired or things don’t go your way.
Review Regularly
This is why daily schedules work. You retain information better when you gradually study the materials. So, look at your notes regularly. Cramming on the night before an exam isn’t the best way to earn high marks in school. Developing your study habits by reviewing your notes daily is the best way to establish a solid foundation. You also train your body to study, so it becomes easier—as it turns into a habit—over time.
Create the Perfect Environment
Set aside a study nook or area. Do you find study cubicles in the library helpful? Do you find it more effective to study in your dorm room? What about finding a park where you can read your books surrounded by trees and plants?
Check Out the School
What study habits are popular in school? What kind of culture does the university have? That can also help you decide if you’re choosing the best program. Do you think you’ll fit in? What are the students like? Do you see yourself becoming one of them? Do the students have access to the resources and materials they need? What teaching methods does the school have? Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get some answers. That way, you’ll make a wiser decision once you pick a university for your MD.
